Dental and Dental Hygiene Shadowing Tips
A few weeks ago, I showed up at my office and the front desk just came in to chat as I was setting up my room. After the morning niceties, she casually mentioned that someone who was applying to dental hygiene school would be there in 10 minutes to shadow me during the day. I’m not gonna lie. It took me a little bit off-guard as I was hurrying to set up my operatory for my first patient to now have someone coming in in the middle of an appointment to watch me during the day. I’m honestly not the biggest fan of shadowing days. I feel like I have to split my time between the shower and the patient, but I’ve had several people shadowing me during my career. I’ve picked up a couple helpful tips during that time as well. So, if you are looking into shadowy a dentist, dental hygienist, or a dental practice, here are a few things to do to make sure that you are the best shadow possible, you can learn the most, get the best experience, and the office will love you and ask you to come back.
1. Come dressed professionally and on time. I’ve had shadows show up in scrubs, jeans and a T-shirt, a suit, whatever. When you confirm the shadowing you could definitely ask to see if there’s something you could wear. But, black scrubs is a great option when it doubt. We want to make sure feel comfortable having an extra person there in the room especially when we’re talking about private things such as health concerns and issues, and dressing the part can help.
2. If you can, talk to the hygienist before hand. Some hygienists do not want you to talk during the appointment. Some absolutely love it, want to chat the entire time and will explain everything that’s happening. Have a conversation before hand so that you both are on the same page. I personally don’t love it when the shadow talks to me or especially talks to the patient during the entire appointment. I feel like the point of shadowing is not to chat and to get to know the patient, but to see what goes in to a dental hygienist day to see if hygiene is the career for you. But that’s just me! See what the RDH you’re shadowing prefers.
3. Keep questions until after the patient leaves. It’s so tempting to ask why the patient is bleeding so much or if something is normal. Pointing out abnormalities can definitely make patients anxious, especially in a space where they might not feel comfortable already. We love to talk about what we see, what we do, and treating disease. Keep these questionable questions until after the patient is out of the op.
4. Use this as a learning and growing experience, as well as a networking opportunity. It’s so easy to show up to a shadow day and leave with out a second thought. However, these offices you are going into could be your future place of work, a future letter of recommendation, or even a place you want to come be a patient! Be positive and helpful during these days to set yourself up for the future.
We love showing off what we do, how we help patients, and how dentistry can change a person’s life. We want you there in that conversation as well! We can definitely work together to make the shadowing day the most productive and pleasant experience for the both of us. Who knows? Maybe after you graduate, you will work or collaborate with the offices you shadowed at!
xoxo, Melia